62 Fred the Apprentice.

business-like man, such as Mr. Kartmann was,
sometimes feels when some extraordinary event
happens to him, the manufacturer took Fred’s
hand and shook it warmly.

‘Thanks!’ said he. ‘I shall not utter many
protestations of my gratitude to you for this
service, which will, I firmly believe, with the
divine blessing, enable me to make arrangements
to recover my losses and establish my now failing
business upon a sure and firm footing and basis.
I will only add, that I shall henceforth consider
you as one of my sons, as you have acted towards
me as a good son would act towards his father ;
so the least that I can do is to act as a father
towards you.’

CHAPTER IX.
CONCLUSION.

. KARTMANN’S business became
one of the most prosperous concerns
in Mulhausen, conducted as it was
with all the modern improvements in
machinery, etc. His debts and liabilities were
in time all paid and met, and an increase of
business gradually took place: Fred did not